Brian Banks is an American football player who was wrongfully convicted of rape and served more than five years in prison before being exonerated. In 2002, when he was 17 years old, Banks was accused of kidnapping and raping a female classmate at his high school in Long Beach, California. Despite maintaining his innocence, Banks was advised to take a plea deal by his lawyer, who believed that he would be unable to win the case at trial. Banks ultimately pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to six years in prison, followed by five years of probation and registering as a sex offender.
After serving more than five years in prison, Banks was approached on Facebook by his accuser, who admitted that she had fabricated the allegations. With the help of the California Innocence Project, Banks was able to have his conviction overturned in 2012. Following his exoneration, Banks pursued his dream of playing professional football and eventually signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. He has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform and works with the California Innocence Project to help others who have been wrongfully convicted.
Starting Over, Clearing His Name, and Making it to the NFL
From Wrongful Incarceration to Playing in the NFL: A Story of Redemption
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